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The latest movie theater news and updates
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January 26, 2011
Laemmele’s Music Hall likely to close in April
BEVERLY HILLS, CA — The Laemmele Music Hall triplex is likely to close in April when its lease is up, primarily as a result of declining patronage, though the property’s owner is reportedly looking for another operator.
The story appeared in LA Weekly.
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January 25, 2011
Warner Grand Theatre turns 80
SAN PEDRO, CA — The venerable Warner Grand Theatre turned 80 years old last week, having opened on Jan. 20, 1931. A low-key celebration, remembering its roots, occurs tomorrow evening.
Friday also marked the 15th anniversary of the City of Los Angeles' purchase of the theatre, which began a long road back from possible destruction as a theatre. The city, now under the gun to spin off all of its theater and arts facilities, is anticipating the privatization of these facilities, including the Warner Grand. Hopefully, this theatre will continue as an entertainment palace for many years to come.
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Four screen theater proposed for Mansfield
MANSFIELD, PA — There has not been a movie theater in Mansfield since the Twain Theatre closed decades ago. The new theater would have four screens and seat about 730. Construction, expected to be completed in about two years, appears dependent upon state grant funding.
“Time and again that has been the No. 1 request of any survey that has been done,” he said.
The corporation had a feasibility study done in 2008 and it revealed that the theater’s gross income was conservatively estimated to be around $600,000 per year, or about $10,000 to $12,000 per week in ticket and concession sales, Strohecker said. That was based on $5 per ticket.
The story appeared in the Sun Gazette.
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January 24, 2011
Ocean City, New Jersey’s two theaters are for sale
OCEAN CITY, NJ — This resort’s two remaining theaters, the Moorlyn and the Strand, have reportedly been listed for sale by their owner, Frank Theatres, for $5.5 million each. Frank intends to operate both Boardwalk houses for the 2011 summer season.
A video story at NBC Philadelphia has details.
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Leeton’s Roxy Cinema charges into its 80’s
LEETON, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA — The Roxy was saved by the Leeton community in the 1970s when it was about to be put on the market. A new sound system was also installed last year.
The Theatre is one of a very small number of two level cinemas in the State. The Theatre is listed by the NSW State Heritage Office and has been classified by the National Trust and, in its present role, is a multi-function centre combining concert, live theatre, films and community events with a capacity of 750 seats. Currently screening days are Fridays and Saturdays, with special Matinees held during school holidays.
Read more at the Leeton Shire Council Page.
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January 21, 2011
Community rallying to help save fire-damaged Senate Theatre
ELSBERRY, MO — Since a fire that started in in a neighboring business seriously damaged the Senate Theatre earlier this month, the surrounding community has generously responded with a fund-raising effort and other shows of support. It’s not the first time that fire has struck the community landmark; a similar disaster occurred in 1937.
Reller is spearheading fund-raising efforts to get the theater running again, because insurance will cover only part of the damage. (For more information e-mail Reller at .)
The Senate is in a buff-bricked storefront on Broadway in the center of Elsberry’s business district, and it has more than sentimental value.
Sarah Hunt, who runs the town library, said records show the building has been around for 99 years and has been a theater for the majority of that time. The fire on Jan. 5 was the third time the building burned. After a blaze in 1937, which started in the film booth, owner C.W. Cannon entered the building, collapsed and died.
There is more in STLToday.com.
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Loew’s 72nd Street closed
NEW YORK, NY — The rumored closing of Loew’s 72nd Street East formerly known as Loew’s Tower East, finally occurred in December when its lease was not renewed. The theater opened in 1962 as a replacement for a far larger and more elegant Loew’s 72nd Theatre that once occupied the site. It was one of the last single screen theaters operating in Manhattan.
The theater is the latest installation on Third Avenue near East 71st Street to close down, as the entire block is now nearly vacant. The Victoria’s Secret next door to the theater closed as did a Bath and Body Works on the corner of East 72st Street. The only remaining store, Super Runners Shop, will be vacating soon, its manager John Pier said.
But the businesses weren’t forced out by the economic downturn. Their leases simply weren’t renewed, Pier said.
The owners of the Tower East building want to renovate the storefronts — most likely turning the four spaces into three, Pier said — and get new tenants.
The full story with some pictures is at DNAInfo.com.
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3 screen for sale in Central Minnesota
We are putting our 4 year old 3-screen up for sale. For more information please call Pat at 320-260-2753. Also check us out here.
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January 20, 2011
Boulder Theater turns 75; Mayfair in Ottawa celebrates 78 years
BOULDER, CO — The Boulder Theatre is celebrating its seventy-fifth anniversary this year (although some might insist it is really a hundred and five years old if one takes into account its its first thirty years as the Curran Opera House). The downtown Boulder landmark now hosts a regular schedule of concerts and film screenings. The story is in the Boulder Weekly.
OTTAWA, ONTARIO, CANADA — Although it came to close to closing a few years ago, the Mayfair Theatre is still attracting Ottawa area residents to its Glebe neighborhood location as it has for nearly eighty years. Its distinctive programming has made it a destination theatre for the Ottawa metropolitan area. A celebratory article appeared in the Orléans EMC.
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Theater for sale/lease
Four-screen second-run theater for sale. Located in a vibrant downtown market with multiple colleges nearby, in Minnesota. Asking for a small downpayment and takeover the lease. I love this business but have another career that’s taking off and needs more of my time.
Please for info.